PFINGSTEN: Homicide discovery shatters family

On Wednesday, a woman from the homicide division phoned to say that the 4Runner had been seen in Hillcrest on Dec. 28, and again in the Fallbrook Towne Center lot on Dec. 29.

Bulaoro did not understand why his family had not been informed of this sooner, but he drove to the Albertsons late that afternoon to request help from whoever could access the surveillance cameras. While there, he scanned the parking lot.

Bulaoro’s nightmare thickened at the sight of the SUV.

Third row from the end, about halfway down, centered in its space.

A crime scene was established — half press, half law, dozens of onlookers — and the answers were slim and unsatisfying.

One question in particular lingers: Who was it who made sure Alvin Bulaoro’s SUV was parked straight before they locked the doors and walked away?

John Bulaoro was the only member of the family to venture past the cordon that night, but several others were there — Alvino Bulaoro, for example.

Father of five — now four.

Fingerprints, the deputies said. The victim will be identified by fingerprints tomorrow.

But Alvino Bulaoro’s first-born lay in that unapproachable sport utility vehicle, and he knew.